Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Legal and Constitutional Affairs

Issue 7 - Minutes of Proceedings

OTTAWA, Wednesday, November 26, 1997
(8)

The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, met this day in Room 505, Victoria Building, at 3:27 p.m., the Chairman, the Honourable Senator Lorna Milne, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Beaudoin, Cogger, Doyle, Gigantès, Jessiman, Lewis, Losier-Cool, Milne, Moore and Nolin. (10)

In attendance: Nancy Holmes, Research Officer, Research Branch of the Library of Parliament.

Also in attendance: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the Order of Reference adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, October 29, 1997, the committee continued its consideration of Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canada Evidence Act and the Criminal Code in respect of persons with disabilities, to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act in respect of persons with disabilities and other matters and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. (See Issue No. 2, Thursday, October 30, 1997, for full text of Order of Reference.)

WITNESSES:

From the Human Rights Tribunal:

Ms Anne L. Mactavish, President;

From FETCO (Federally Regulated Employers -- Transportation and Communication):

Mr. George C.B. Smith, Vice-President, Human Resources, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation;

Ms Dianne Richards, Manager, Labour Relations, B.C. Maritime Employers Association;

Mr. Roger MacDougall, Legal Counsel, Canadian National Railway;

Ms Lorette Glasheen, Manager, Employment Equity, Canadian Pacific Railway.

From the Council of Canadians with Disabilities:

Mr. Eric Norman, National Chairperson;

Mr. Hugh Scher, Chairman, Human Rights Committee;

Ms Lucie Lemieux-Brossard, executive member.

The Chairman made an opening statement.

Ms Anne Mactavish made a statement and answered questions.

The committee agreed that the Chairman should write to Mme Falardeau-Ramsay, providing the blues, asking that she comment on the conflicting testimony concerning the average time it takes from the introduction of a complaint to the commission until it is passed on to the tribunal.

Mr. George Smith made a statement and, together with Ms Richards, Mr. MacDougall and Ms Glasheen, answered questions.

Mr. Eric Norman made a statement.

Mr. Hugh Scher made a statement.

Ms Lucie Lemieux-Brossard made a statement.

Mr. Norman tabled with the committee a brochure on the membership of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (Exhibit No. 5900 L1-S-5-7 "1").

The witnesses answered questions.

At 6:27 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the Chairman.

ATTEST:

Heather Lank

Clerk of the Committee